Drug deaths increase as fewer people access treatment

Posted on 9 November 2017

The latest drug-treatment figures from Public Health England show that the UK’s current approach is failing to reduce drug-related deaths, which are now at an all-time high.

The latest drug-treatment figures from Public Health England show that the UK’s current approach is failing to reduce drug-related deaths, which are now at an all-time high. Today’s report, shows a 23% rise in treatment presentations for crack cocaine use, seems to follow an increase in the popularity of the drug observed since 2010-11.

We know that the prescription of methadone, buprenorphine or heroin to people who have problems with opiates can help to reduce deaths. But we also know that most of these deaths happen to people who are not in treatment. We need to provide support for the wide range of problems these people have, including homelessness, mental health problems, long-term unemployment, smoking and heavy alcohol use.